Manasarovar Lake is located in far western Tibet in Ngari Prefecture at the distance of 1200 Kilometers from Lhasa and only 32 kilometres from the Holy Mount Kailash and at the altitude of 4590 meters. It is a freshwater lake fed by Kailash Glaciers. Manasarovar Lake is only 32 kilometre from the Holy Mount Kailash.
The Tibetan name for the lake is called Mapham Yum Tso མ་ཕམ་གཡུ་མཚོ།, It means invincible/unconquered turquoise lake. Manasarovar Lake is considered one of the three holiest lakes in Tibet with Namtso lake and Yamdrok lake. This lake is revered sacred by Buddhist, Hindus and Indigenous native Bön religion making it a famous pilgrimage destination for them. The lake is one of the most beautiful in Tibet surrounded by massive Himalayan peaks in the south and Mount Kailash on the north.
The religious significance of Manasarovar Lake
Manasarovar Lake in Buddhism
Buddist consider Manasarovar lake as the legendary Anavatapta Lake. According to Buddhist legend, There is a lake called Anavatapta lying at the center of the world. Name Anavatapta means heart free. The waters of this lake were thought to be able to soothe the fires that torment beings.
In the script, it is written “Lying south of Perfume Mountain, Lake Anavatapta is said to be 800 li in circumference and bordered by gold, silver, and precious stones. Four rivers issued from the lake.” The lake Manasarovar is often considered as the earthly manifestation of this legendary lake as it lies at the foot of Mount Kailash. The four rivers are identified with Ganges, Indus, Amu Darya, and Yello River.
According to the legends of Buddha, It is said that at the shore of Lake Anavatapta ( Aka Manasarovar), Buddha Mother Maya conceived Buddha Sakyamuni. The lake is famous in Buddhist literature, and it is associated with many stories and Teaching of Buddha.
Manasarovar lake has few monasteries on its shores. The most famous is Chiu Monastery. It is built on a steep hill as if like it’s been carved out from the rock.
Manasarovar Lake in Bön Religion
In the Bön religion is mount is closely associated with the scared Diety called Zhangzhung Meri. It said when the founder of Bön religion arrives in Tibet for first, he took a bath in the lake.
Manasarovar Lake in Jainism
The Lake Manasarovar is associated with first Tirthankara, Rishabha in Jain religion. According to them it is at the Manasarovar Rishabha attain Nirvana
Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
Every year thousands of Hindus, Buddhist, and other believers would come to visit the Manasarovar Lake along with Mount Kailash for the Mount Kailash pilgrimage. We do organize the Kailash yatra for NRI’s and other travelers besides Indian Nationals.
Kailash Yatra for NRI’s
For Non-residential Indians, how holds the passport from their host country any travel agency in Lhasa can help you arrange your Kailash Yatra. But there will be a little adjustment you will have to make about the food if the group is small. For the more significant group, we can arrange a cook train in cooking Indian dishes, and we can also organize Yatra for any number of people.
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